Our Mission:
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To promote lifeguarding and water safety in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities
Email: VeroBeachLA@Yahoo.com
Website: www.VBLA.org
STATISTICS
Total Park Attendance 93,265
Preventative Actions 1158
Minor Medicals 15
Major Medicals 3
Rescues 1
Average Water Temperature 70
Beach Erosion Moderate
Stinging Marine Life Moderate
General Conditions
March monthly beach attendance was robust but not a record (the record was set in March 2018 with 95,000). Strong winds and currents have contributed to moderate beach erosion and Portuguese Man-O-War washing ashore. Large amounts of seaweed have been deposited on the beach. Many surfcast fisherman were seen from South Beach Park to Jaycee Park. The ocean water temperature has risen into the low 70’s. Lifeguards responded to 15 medical calls which included 3 major medical emergencies. Lifeguards rescued 1 person from a rip current in the month of March bringing the total number of water rescues to 4 in 2019.
All swimmers are advised to pay close attention to beach condition signs and flags, swim near lifeguard towers and avoid swimming during non-guarded hours.
Areas of Progress
City of Vero Beach lifeguards and Indian River County Fire/Rescue have been conducting joint training on the beach.
With help from Idea Garden, Waldo’s, Minuteman Press, Coastal Technology Corporation, Hoos Architects, Mills Short Engineers, Farrow Construction, City of Vero Beach Recreation Department, and City Council, VBLA’s goal of giving our lifeguards the ability to see more of the beach and react to emergencies faster by building a lifeguard tower and command center at Humiston Park is progressing.
Areas of Concern
Some patrons are complaining about the amount of seaweed and dogs on the beach. Seaweed is a natural occurrence and part of a healthy beach ecology. Removal of the seaweed would weaken the beach’s foundation, prevent the formation of protective dunes and increase beach erosion. It is against City ordinances to bring dogs onto any of the City’s beach parks or traverse over public beach accesses with dogs unless the dog is a “service animal”.
As beach attendance grows more people are outside the guarded areas increasing the likelihood of accidents and drownings.
Key
Park Attendance: an estimated count of park attendees to include boardwalks within each park and areas immediately north and south of each park
Preventative Actions: stopping potential incidents before they occur
Minor Medicals: a medical incident which is treated on-site by lifeguard/EMT personnel
Major Medicals: a medical incident that required Emergency Medical Services
Rescues: Any water related emergency to include rip current rescues, fatigued swimmers, surfing, kite boarding and/or boating accidents.
About VBLA
This report is furnished by the Vero Beach Lifeguard Association, a non-profit, 501C3 organization. Its mission is to promote water safety and lifeguarding in Vero Beach and the surrounding communities. Contact us at VeroBeachLA@Yahoo.com or (908)797-8725. Visit us at www.VBLA.org. Donations are appreciated. Monies raised are used to purchase equipment, supplies, and training for the lifeguards from the city of Vero Beach. Please send donations to: VBLA, 1351 White Heron Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963.
N.L. Goodman is the name she uses for her rhymes and Thesderina McGurglestein is used for her free children's website atwordwarrirokids.net and children’s books.
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